OldiesButGoodies

Country

Merle Haggard – It’s Been A Great Afternoon

It's Been A Great Afternoon - song and lyrics by Merle Haggard | Spotify

Introduction:

In the vast landscape of American Country music, few voices resonate with the working class experience quite like Merle Haggard. Haggard, a singer and songwriter known for his Bakersfield sound – a twangy, rough-edged style that rose to prominence in the 1960s – carved a niche for himself by chronicling the struggles and triumphs of everyday folks. Released in 1978, “It’s Been A Great Afternoon” perfectly encapsulates this signature style, offering a slice-of-life reflection on the simple pleasures that can make a day truly fulfilling.

The song arrived as the second single from Haggard’s album, I’m Always on a Mountain When I Fall. Produced by the legendary Fuzzy Owen, a longtime collaborator who understood how to capture the raw authenticity in Haggard’s voice, “It’s Been A Great Afternoon” wasn’t a chart-topping smash hit. However, it climbed its way to a respectable #2 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, solidifying its place as a fan favorite and a cornerstone of Haggard’s extensive repertoire.

The beauty of “It’s Been A Great Afternoon” lies in its unpretentious charm. Haggard’s signature baritone weaves a tale of a seemingly ordinary day, filled with relatable details. The listener is drawn into a scene where the singer has spent the afternoon fishing by a cool stream, the kind of idyllic escape many working folks yearn for after a long week. The lyrics don’t delve into grand pronouncements or dramatic narratives. Instead, they celebrate the quiet satisfaction of a simple pleasure – a successful fishing trip, the camaraderie of friends, and the peacefulness of nature.

“It’s Been A Great Afternoon” stands as a testament to Haggard’s songwriting prowess. With a seemingly simple theme, he manages to craft a relatable and emotionally resonant experience. The song resonates not just with country music fans, but with anyone who has ever found solace and joy in the simple things – a successful day spent outdoors, the company of loved ones, or a moment of quiet reflection amidst nature’s beauty.

Video:

https://youtu.be/BO5PObMULd4?si=pKpCs5j-t0gFwN55

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Merle Haggard’s childhood was becoming increasingly chaotic when something entered his life that would eventually change everything: a guitar. His older brother Lowell gave him one when Merle was around 12. Merle began teaching himself, absorbing the records and styles of country heroes such as Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell and Hank Williams. There were no expensive lessons preparing him for Nashville. There was simply a troubled California kid listening closely and learning how another man’s sadness could live inside a melody. Merle would still make plenty of mistakes. Music didn’t instantly rescue him from running away, juvenile detention or eventually prison. But the guitar remained. Years later, millions would recognize Merle’s voice within seconds. Perhaps that’s because he wasn’t merely learning how to sing songs as a boy. He was slowly learning how to tell the truth about his own life.

Merle Haggard rarely needed to invent heartbreak. He had known it since childhood. In 1946, when Merle was only nine years old, his father, James Haggard, died following a stroke. For a boy who deeply needed his father’s presence, the loss became a turning point. His mother, Flossie, worked to support the family. Merle, meanwhile, became increasingly restless. He skipped school, ran away, got into trouble, and began a long journey through juvenile institutions that eventually led somewhere far darker. Looking back at his life, it is difficult not to see that nine-year-old boy behind many of the adult Merle Haggard’s songs. People later called him a rebel, an outlaw and a survivor. But before any of those labels existed, there was simply a grieving boy who had lost his dad—and never seemed to completely outrun that loss.

THE RAREST BEE GEES MOMENT OF ALL — FOUR GIBB BROTHERS, ONE SONG, ONE STAGE… AND A MEMORY FILLED WITH BOTH JOY AND HEARTBREAK.

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